NASA awards $5.1M R&D contract for Heliophysics Explorers Program concept study to Cornell Technical Services
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $5,133,394 ($5.1M)
Contractor: Cornell Technical Services LLC
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2024-04-26
End Date: 2027-09-30
Contract Duration: 1,252 days
Daily Burn Rate: $4.1K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: HELIOPHYSICS EXPLORERS PROGRAM 2022 SMALL EXPLORER (SMEX) CONCEPT STUDY REPORT (CSR) EVALUATION.
Place of Performance
Location: COLUMBIA, HOWARD County, MARYLAND, 21046
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $5.1 million to CORNELL TECHNICAL SERVICES LLC for work described as: HELIOPHYSICS EXPLORERS PROGRAM 2022 SMALL EXPLORER (SMEX) CONCEPT STUDY REPORT (CSR) EVALUATION. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on early-stage research and development for space exploration. 2. Cornell Technical Services, a new entrant to NASA contracts, will perform the concept study. 3. The contract is a delivery order under a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) vehicle. 4. This award represents a small portion of NASA's overall Heliophysics budget. 5. The contract duration is over three years, indicating a phased approach to concept development. 6. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which allows for cost reimbursement plus a fixed fee.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
Benchmarking the value of this specific concept study is challenging due to its early-stage nature and limited public data. The $5.1 million award is for a concept study, not a full development or operational phase, making direct comparisons to larger contracts difficult. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type suggests that costs are monitored, but the fixed fee component needs to be assessed for reasonableness against industry standards for similar R&D services. Without more detailed cost breakdowns or comparisons to similar concept studies, a definitive value-for-money assessment is pending.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources.' This indicates that while the initial solicitation was open, specific sources were later excluded, leading to a limited competition scenario. The exact reasons for excluding other potential sources are not detailed, which raises questions about the breadth of competition. A limited competition may result in less aggressive pricing compared to full and open competition with multiple bidders.
Taxpayer Impact: Limited competition can potentially lead to higher costs for taxpayers if a wider range of bidders could have offered more competitive pricing. Transparency regarding the exclusion of sources is crucial for ensuring fair market access and optimal use of public funds.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are NASA's Heliophysics Division, which will receive insights for future space missions. The services delivered include concept study reports, crucial for informing the feasibility and design of future explorer missions. The geographic impact is national, supporting NASA's research infrastructure and scientific advancement. Workforce implications include specialized research and engineering roles within Cornell Technical Services and potentially its subcontractors.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition raises concerns about potential price inflation and reduced innovation.
- Lack of detailed public justification for source exclusion warrants further scrutiny.
- The CPFF contract type requires diligent oversight to manage costs effectively.
Positive Signals
- Focus on R&D aligns with NASA's mission to advance scientific understanding.
- The contract duration suggests a structured approach to concept development.
- Awarding to a firm for concept studies can foster new capabilities within the contractor base.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical sciences and engineering related to space exploration. The Heliophysics Explorers Program is a key initiative for NASA, involving the study of the Sun and its influence on the solar system. Spending in this sub-sector is characterized by long-term investments in scientific discovery and technological innovation, often involving specialized firms and academic institutions. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve other NASA R&D contracts for mission concept studies or early-stage technology development.
Small Business Impact
The contract data indicates that small business participation is not a primary focus for this specific award, as indicated by 'ss': false and 'sb': false. There is no explicit small business set-aside. However, the nature of R&D contracts often involves subcontracting opportunities. It is important to monitor whether Cornell Technical Services will engage small businesses for specialized services, contributing to the broader small business ecosystem within the aerospace and research sectors.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract will be managed by NASA's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are embedded within the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure, requiring detailed reporting and justification of costs. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, though specific details of the concept study's progress and findings may be proprietary. The Inspector General's office at NASA would have jurisdiction to investigate any potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to this award.
Related Government Programs
- Heliophysics Explorers Program
- NASA Small Explorer (SMEX) Program
- NASA Research and Development Contracts
- Space Science Missions
Risk Flags
- Limited competition justification
- Cost realism of CPFF contract
- Contractor's prior experience with NASA
Tags
nasa, heliophysics, research-and-development, space-exploration, concept-study, cost-plus-fixed-fee, limited-competition, delivery-order, science, aerospace, maryland, federal-contract
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $5.1 million to CORNELL TECHNICAL SERVICES LLC. HELIOPHYSICS EXPLORERS PROGRAM 2022 SMALL EXPLORER (SMEX) CONCEPT STUDY REPORT (CSR) EVALUATION.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is CORNELL TECHNICAL SERVICES LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (National Aeronautics and Space Administration).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $5.1 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-04-26. End: 2027-09-30.
What is the track record of Cornell Technical Services with NASA or other government agencies?
Based on the provided data, Cornell Technical Services appears to be a relatively new entrant or has limited publicly documented contract history with NASA for this specific type of work. The data does not provide extensive details on their past performance. Further investigation into their corporate history, previous contracts (if any), and client references would be necessary to fully assess their track record. For a concept study, especially in a specialized field like heliophysics, a demonstrated ability to manage research projects, deliver timely reports, and adhere to scientific rigor is crucial. A lack of extensive prior government contracting experience might introduce some level of performance risk, which NASA's source selection process would aim to mitigate through evaluation criteria.
How does the $5.1 million cost compare to similar concept study contracts within NASA's Heliophysics program?
Directly comparing the $5.1 million cost for this specific 'Heliophysics Explorers Program 2022 Small Explorer (SMEX) Concept Study Report (CSR) Evaluation' to other similar contracts is challenging without access to a broader dataset of NASA's R&D concept studies. Concept studies vary significantly in scope, complexity, and duration, influencing their cost. Factors such as the number of proposed mission concepts, the depth of analysis required, and the specific scientific objectives all contribute to the overall price. Generally, concept studies are a fraction of the total cost of a full mission. To benchmark this value, one would need to identify comparable SMEX or similar-class mission concept studies awarded over the past few years and analyze their contract values, durations, and the scope of work performed.
What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being managed?
Primary risks associated with this contract include potential technical challenges in evaluating novel concepts, the possibility of cost overruns under the CPFF structure, and schedule delays. Given that Cornell Technical Services may be less experienced with NASA contracts, there's also a risk related to their understanding of NASA's stringent requirements and reporting protocols. NASA manages these risks through the CPFF contract type, which allows for cost reimbursement but caps the profit, incentivizing efficiency. Rigorous oversight by NASA program managers, regular progress reviews, and defined milestones are critical for monitoring technical progress and managing costs. The 'limited' competition aspect also introduces a risk of suboptimal pricing, which NASA aims to mitigate through negotiation and evaluation processes.
How effective is the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' approach in ensuring optimal value for taxpayers?
The effectiveness of 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' in ensuring optimal value for taxpayers is debatable and depends heavily on the justification for excluding sources. While it starts with an open approach, the subsequent exclusion can limit the pool of potential offerors. If the exclusions are well-founded (e.g., based on unique capabilities, past performance, or specific technical requirements that only a few possess), it might still lead to competitive outcomes. However, if exclusions are arbitrary or poorly justified, it can reduce competition, potentially leading to higher prices and less innovation than a truly broad competition. For taxpayers, optimal value is best achieved when the widest possible range of qualified vendors can compete freely, driving down costs and fostering innovation.
What is the historical spending pattern for NASA's Heliophysics Explorers Program, and how does this award fit in?
Historical spending for NASA's Heliophysics Explorers Program involves a mix of large mission costs and smaller, earlier-stage investments like concept studies. The program funds a variety of missions, from Small Explorer (SMEX) missions, which are typically lower-cost, to larger missions. Concept studies, like the one awarded to Cornell Technical Services, represent the initial phase of mission development and are a necessary precursor to larger investments. Annual spending can fluctuate based on the number and phase of active missions. This $5.1 million award for a concept study fits into the program's strategy of exploring new scientific ideas and technologies, ensuring a pipeline of future missions. It represents a relatively small, but crucial, investment compared to the multi-hundred-million-dollar costs of fully developed and launched missions.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 9700 PATUXENT WOODS DR, COLUMBIA, MD, 21046
Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $5,419,263
Exercised Options: $5,419,263
Current Obligation: $5,133,394
Actual Outlays: $4,806,400
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 80LARC20D0007
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-04-26
Current End Date: 2027-09-30
Potential End Date: 2027-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-24
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